Global tourism employers are taking upbeat measures to support their workers

Published on : Saturday, May 16, 2020

Employers from across global tourism are taking proactive measures to support their workers and assist communities in which they operate.

With the tourism sector facing an unprecedented challenge, the World Committee on Tourism Ethics (a subsidiary of the World Tourism Organization) has analyzed the steps taken by businesses and trade associations for lessening the impact of the pandemic. Research has revealed that in spite of staff lay off, employers across the sector are doing their best for workers and communities.

Committee Chairman Pascal Lamy contacted the GCET Signatories to find out the mitigation actions being championed by tourism companies and trade associations. Mr. Lamy said: “It is evident that the sector’s engagement goes beyond symbolic CSR actions. The GCET signatories, although hit terribly hard by the crisis like their colleagues across the tourism sector, have shown that they indeed care for the societies they operate in while striving to keep their businesses afloat”.

The UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili welcomed the initiative of the tourism sector and urged governments to work with private employers to preserve jobs and livelihoods. Pololikashvili said: “Governments should not abolish the resources already allocated to tourism in their budgets for 2020. Tourism administrations also need to communicate to the general public what the sector is doing for the society in these troublesome times.”

Many companies are providing 24-hour psychological help for their employees, and also maintaining medical insurance and facilitating platforms with motivational videos, medical updates and training. Many of them are also offering free lodging and food for stranded international staff and their families.

Monetary donations have been given to city councils, needy families and rural communities. Food and supplies have also been sent to frontline workers and groups at risk. Hotels have donated thousands of gift nights to medical staff for their holidays and remained open for them and COVID-19 patients whenever needed.